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Looking for something to do? Add these Cincinnati Black events to your calendar.
Black Cincinnatians can routinely and affordably enjoy the performing arts, fine arts, entertainers, religious services, professional development training and programs initiatives that help us improve our physical and mental health. We are also very fortunate that nationally-known African-American artists routinely display their talents right here in the Queen City.
Text “VOBC” to 797979 to get weekly happenings and chances for FREE tickets straight to your phone.
When purchasing your tickets, be sure to ask about any special deals, discount options, community performances or same-day options. The information in this article is as current as of the publication date. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information prior to acting. If there are events we have missed, please submit them to The Voice of Black Cincinnati Calendar.
Check out our featured events!
Rebirth Brass Band Concert
Memorial Hall
September 12
Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band is a true New Orleans institution of brass with added Hip-Hop into it. Now they are coming to funk it up in the Queen City with a little help from the Cincy Brass. Tickets are $20 – $36. Get yours today!
Gladys Knight Concert
Taft Theatre
September 13
This seven-time Grammy winner Gladys Knight has enjoyed #1 hits in Pop, Gospel, R&B and Adult Contemporary, and has triumphed in film, television and live performance. Ticket prices for this concert range from $39.50 – $75.50.
Cincinnati Pops featuring “the lady from Hamilton”, Renée Elise Goldsberry
Music Hall
September 13 – 15
Broadway’s original “Angelica Schuyler,” Tony and Grammy-winning star of Hamilton Renée Elise Goldsberry joins John Morris Russell and the Cincinnati Pops for the Orchestra’s for an array of Broadway hits, pop and soul classics, and original songs set to the poetry of Dr. Maya Angelou. Tickets are $25 and up.
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Men of Change Exhibit
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
August 17 – December 1
This exhibit profiles revolutionary men—including Muhammad Ali, James Baldwin, Ta-Nehisi Coates, W.E.B Du Bois, Kendrick Lamar and more. Admission is $10.
Big Freedia Concert
Bogart’s
August 23
Get ready to “biggity bounce” and show off your best twerk moves at the upcoming Big Freedia Cincinnati concert. Tickets are only $20.
5th Annual Summer Breeze
Kolping Center
August 24
Get ready to dance and enjoy gourmet food trucks, vendors, and a cash bar while embracing the last days of summer with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Also, DJ Vader Mixx will be on the 1’s and 2’s providing live music. Tickets are $40 – $50.
Macy Gray Concert
The Ludlow Garage
August 30
That unmistakable rasp, unshakable grasp on soul, and funky spirit ensured Macy Gray her status as a 21st-century icon. Selling over 25 million total albums globally, winning a GRAMMY® Award she is still in the game. Tickets prices range from $45.00 – $80.00
Legendary Nights Tour
Riverbend Music Center
September 3
Two of the biggest names in hip-hop – Meek Mill and Future – announced they will be hitting the road together for the first time ever this fall. The Legendary Nights Tour Cincinnati performance has a star-studded lineup of special guests including YG, Mustard and Megan Thee Stallion. Click the link to see how you can get discount tickets.
Damon Gupton Guest Conducts the Cincinnati Pops Star Wars Performance
Cincinnati Music Hall
September 6 – 8
Gupton will begin his tenure leading the Orchestra in four programs during the 2019-2020 season, kicking off with Star Wars. Ticket prices range from $25 – $105.
Leon Bridges R&B Concert
Aronoff Center
September 7
With a sound that evokes classic R&B and soul, he quickly came into his own as a Top Ten, Grammy Award winning, globally touring artist. Get your tickets now for the Leon Bridges Cincinnati concert. Tickets prices range between $53.74 – $173.74.
Once on this Island
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
September 7 – October 6
This Calypso-flavored Broadway musical hit captivates audiences with a vibrant and unforgettable story of a woman who travels far and wide to reunite with the man who has captured her heart. Click the link for more information.
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Keb’ Mo’ Concert
Memorial Hall
September 15
It all took off for Keb’ Mo’ in 1994 with the self-titled release under his newly coined Keb’ Mo’ moniker, and over the years, he has proven that he is a musical force that defies typical genre labels. Ticket prices for this event range from $40 – $75.
Blink-182 & Lil Wayne Tour
Riverbend Music Center
September 16
Multi-platinum, award-winning artists Blink-182 and Lil Wayne will be hitting the stage with special guest Neck Deep. Ticket prices range from $37.50-$168.50. Click the link to see how you can get discount tickets.
Mary S. Stern Lecture Series
Aronoff Center
October 2
The inaugural speaker for this lecture series is Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama, and author of Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption. Tickets are $5.
Legends of Hip Hop Tour
U.S. Bank Arena
October 4
Now your favorite playlist is coming to life! All on the same stage, you will see Hip Hop heavyweights Scarface, 8Ball & MJG, Bun B, E-40, Mystikal and Too Short. The Legends of Hip Hop Tour Cincinnati performance is perfect for you and your friends. In the words of Mystikal, Shake It Fast!
Sohrab Hura Exhibit
Cincinnati Art Museum
October 5 – February 2, 2020
Contemporary Indian photographer Sohrab Hura reveals his first solo museum exhibition titled The Levee: A Photographer in the American South. It’s an 83-picture suite, in which Hura explores themes of connection, perspective, and place.
Cecile McLorin Slavant Jazz Concert
Xavier University – Gallagher Student Center Theater
October 6
As part of the Xavier Music Series, come hear Cécile McLorin Salvant sing vaudeville, country blues, Broadway songs, rarities, and her own compositions. Ticket prices range between $10 – $40.
Machine Gun Kelly and Young Thug Concert
PNC Pavilion
October 8
Grammy awarding winning Young Thug and chart topping Machine Gun Kelly will hit Cincinnati with special guests YBN Nahmir and Strick. Tickets are $23.50 – $199.
The GriZ Reggae Concert
PNC Pavillion
October 9
Just two months after the release of Ride Waves, his most creative and collaborative studio album to date, GRiZ returns with his heavy bass sound and shades of reggae and dubstep. Tickets are $23.50 – $44.50.
Jid
enna Concert
Bogart’s
October 20
The Classic Man himself will be performing songs from his hit album The Chief and EP Boomerang. He will also introduce new music from his upcoming album. Tickets are $25.
Ruben Studdard Concert
Memorial Hall
November 14
American Idol favorite Ruben Studdard is making his way to Cincinnati this fall and you need to be in the building. He was “Sorry for 2004”, but you’ll be sorry if you miss this. Tickets are $45 – $65.
Lil Duval: Living My Best Life Tour
Bogar
t’s
November 22
Proclaiming himself “Lil Duval” after the county from which he hails, he has literally put his home turf on his back as he touches every nook and cranny available with his special brand of humor and music. Tickets are $49.50 – $65. Click the link to see how you can get discount tickets.
Straight No Chaser Concert
Taft Theatre
November 23
This harmonizing group is bringing their talents once again to Cincinnati. Ticket prices range between $39.50 – $79.50.
The Lion King Broadway Musical
Aronoff Center
January 8 – February 2 (2020)
Giraffes strut. Birds swoop. Gazelles leap. The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before. And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist. Tickets for Disney’s The Lion King performance will be available soon.
Aretha: The Queen of Soul Cincinnati Tribute
Aronoff Center
January 17, 2020
‘All Hail the Queen!’ Aretha Franklin’s iconic career spanned six decades, inspiring and influencing generations of aspiring musicians and vocalists. This production stars the immensely talented Charity Lockhart, accompanied by spectacular vocalists and musicians as they celebrate the legendary life & music of Aretha Franklin. Tickets are $37.75 – $51.75.
Cincinnati Pops Presents Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue
Music Hall
January 31 – February 2 (2020)
Celebrated jazz pianist Marcus Roberts makes his Cincinnati Pops debut with John Morris Russell conducting a new take on Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with a jazz combo. The program also includes such Gershwin classics as An American in Paris, the Cuban Overture and selections from Porgy and Bess. Tickets prices range from $25 – $130.
AmericUS by Universes Play
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
February 1 – March 8 (2020)
Fusing theatre, poetry, dance, jazz, hip-hop and down-home blues, Universes will create a compelling portrait of contemporary America. Ticket prices range from $10 – $50.
Cincinnati Pops Featuring Ledisi
Music Hall
February 18 (2020)
In her Cincinnati Pops debut, nine-time Grammy nominee Ledisi offers her “amazing vocal gift” (Rolling Stone) to honor the “High Priestess of Soul,” the late Nina Simone. John Morris Russell conducts iconic songs including “Feeling Good,” “I Put a Spell on You,” and “Young, Gifted and Black” in this one-night-only concert experience. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online.
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The Voice of Black Cincinnati is a media company designed to educate, recognize and create opportunities for African Americans in the region. Visit our homepage, explore other articles, subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on Facebook or text VOBC to 797979 for local news, events, job postings, scholarships and a database of local Black-owned businesses.
Marissa Staples, Writer
The Voice of Black Cincinnati
Things are changing in Cincinnati. Though I have a high regard for the Cincinnati Herald, “NOW” we also have as a Black media outlet ” The Voice of Black Cincinnati”!
How nice it is to have information on such a wide diversity of events for the African-American please keep publishing this.
I love this website I have a variety of things that I can do and support my people. Thank You
Highlighting the positive flow of black energy through our communities unleashes the music found in the soul!!
I salute the Voice!!!
Great informative website, just what we need. Thank you
I deeply appreciate this media for many reasons, the most important being that it makes a serious attempt to have communication that is relevant to me. The community of Cincinnati is not eclectic in its inclusion of the African American voice; even though we make up approximately 42 precent of the population we have very little choice as ir relates choices of media that connects to our concerns. I thank this publications creators for the refreshing change. Thank you.
Kudos. Well done and thanks for being a presence in Cincinnati.
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I live in Dayton and Im so glad to find out about the Voice.
Thank you. We hope you enjoy your time in Cincinnati!